My favorite month is September, because that's when my birthday is and it's usually when we get the first little cold front that promises cooler weather isn't far away. But it always turns hot again, and if I could move my birthday into October I would, because that's when Fall really feels within reach, Summer projects need to be finished up and firewood needs to be cut and stacked. Now it's November, it's cool and raining, and we'll have a fire tonight as I crack pecans and watch the Country Music Awards.
Cattle
The Pacesetter calves have sold for an excellent price, for delivery next week. Our 8 steers have stayed healthy, not requiring any medication that would disqualify them from the All Natural program, and have gained well on a reasonable amount of feed and good grass. In fact, due mainly to the great weaning weights we had this year, 3 of them were actually overweight when I weighed them last week and I had to negotiate a slightly lower price for them. The replacement heifers and little bulls are looking good too. I sold 3 of the oldest cows including Austin's green-tagged 215 so one of the heifers will get a green tag. 215 had a daughter this year, so she's my suggestion, but Austin can pick at Thanksgiving if he wants to. We'll vaccinate the cows soon, and sit back to wait for calves in February.
Hay and Grass
We've finished baling this year's hay, getting 2 cuttings from all the fields except the Sycamore which Larry elected to graze rather than bale (since we already had plenty of hay). I've cleaned up the baler and put it away, and have some repairs to make on the cutter and rake before I do the same for them. The oats I planted have sprung up, and it's great to be getting some rain on them. The pasture grass is still providing some grazing and, although it will benefit from the rain, we'll probably start feeding hay soon. It was a good year for grass in Lanham, with some nicely timed rains in June and July that some areas didn't get.
Horses
Cowtown and Sugarfoot are on diets. They've both developed a "cresty" neck which can be indicative of a metabolic syndrome and increased tendency toward laminitis, or founder. Poor old Brandy used to founder and it can't be pleasant, so I'm trying to steer the horses and myself away from metabolic syndrome. Angelfire reminds us a lot of Amy--pretty, but kind of bossy (especially around feeding time).
Chickens
The 10 hens still patrol the farm, protecting us from grasshoppers and worms and providing entertainment. Sometimes we just sit out on the Gator and watch the funny things they do. Egg production is off a little, maybe due to the change of season. We get about 5 a day but Zane's have completely stopped laying.
Pecans
The pecan trees are starting to deliver. The load on the little tree in the front yard was so big I thought some limbs might break--I need to prune it this winter. The tree in the back has smaller, thicker-shelled pecans I generally don't bother to pick up; Bodie and Harley, however, enjoy bringing them up to the porch, cracking them and eating them. The porch is littered with pecan shells almost every day. I picked up a few pecans from the native trees down by the tank. They're small but very tasty. The trees in front of Amy's house are loaded and will start dropping soon too. I have about 3 quarts already, so pecan pie bakers are encouraged.
Family
We're looking forward to Thanksgiving on November 24 with almost the whole family. I'll have plenty of chores on a list for anyone who wants to work, and there should be plenty of food, firewood and football for anyone who doesn't. Life is good. Hurry on down and see us.
